Update: Mr. Lewis has been arrested, according to multiple reports.
Retired Philadelphia Police Captain Ray Lewis was in Zuccotti Park last night with the Occupy Wall Street protesters. Mr. Lewis showed up in uniform carrying signs a pair of signs imploring New York City cops to join the protests. “NYPD Don’t Be Wall Street Mercenaries,” one read. Mr. Lewis was interviewed on one of the Occupy Wall Street livestreams at about two this morning. He was sharply critical of the NYPD’s conduct during their raid on the protest encampment Tuesday. “This bullrush–what happened last night is totally uncalled for,” Mr. Lewis said.

A Philadelphia Police Department spokesperson confirmed to the Observer that Mr. Lewis was a captain prior to retiring in 2004. He was photographed at the protests yesterday afternoon as demonstrators ringed Zuccotti Park in the wake of their eviction.

In his late night interview with the livestreamers, Lewis said police in New York City should have dealt with Occupy Wall Street through negotiation rather than forcefully removing protesters from the park.

“You should, by law, only use force to protect someone’s life or to protect them from being bodily injured OK? If you’re not protecting somebody’s life or protecting them from bodily injury, there’s no need to use force. And the number one thing that they always have in their favor that they seldom use is negotiation–continue to talk, and talk and talk to people. You have nothing to lose by that,” Mr Lewis said. “This bullrush–what happened last night is totally uncalled for when they did not use negotiation long enough.”

Mayor Bloomberg has stated the raid was necessary because the protest encampment carried with it a risk of crime, fire and health hazards. Mr. Lewis called that rationale “a farce.”

“They complained about the park being dirty. Here they are worrying about dirty parks when people are starving to death, where people are freezing, where people are sleeping in subways and they’re concerned about a dirty park. That’s obnoxious, it’s arrogant, it’s ignorant, it’s disgusting,” Mr. Lewis said.

Mr. Lewis said the police want to get rid of him, but he vowed to keep coming back to the protests.

“They’re trying to get me arrested and I may disappear OK?” Mr. Lewis said. “As soon as I’m let out of jail, I’ll be right back here and they’ll have to arrest me again.”

Mr. Lewis thinks some officers might appreciate his presence, but not top brass.

“I’m their worst enemy, especially with the white shirts, the bosses OK? Some of the fellow cops they might be thinking, you know, ‘That guy, he’s got a point,’ but the bosses, i’m their number one enemy,” Mr. Lewis said.

Mr. Lewis clearly doesn’t think the NYPD likes him, but he told the protesters he doesn’t think cops are their enemy.

“All the cops are, they’re just workers for the one percent and they don’t even realize they’re being exploited,” Mr. Lewis said.

Viewers who watched Mr. Lewis’ interview told us he spoke on camera for more than 40 minutes. We’ll try to get our hands on a full clip, but for now, you can watch an excerpt of Mr. Lewis’ livestream appearance below.

If someone wrote down a good point on the internet, or in a book, or in a song, you could say it was a good point without knowing if it came from a man or woman, Conservative or Liberal, Communist or Socialist or Anarchist….so why do you care at all what the OWS people look like or what their beliefs are? Can’t you just agree that our government is BROKEN? It doesnt represent WE THE PEOPLE any longer. Why do you care where the message comes from?

FYI Most of us have jobs and support the 99% 100% Maybe you should get better informed as to who supports the movement. Good luck with all your negativity just shows how ignorant you truly are. I work my ass off and have the common sense to know better. Peace.

The folk at OWS are there becaue they WANT jobs. Please stop believing the B.S. that you’re being fed that these are people who don’t want to work. They’re there because of the unemployment rate in this country that was caused by the crooks up in the tower offices that line Wall Street. Why not direct your anger towards the actual criminals instead of the victims.

Some of us don’t have to work. Got a problem with that? Traditional “soccer mom”, supported by my husband, raising my family, and fighting the good fight in my free time. Any decent parent would teach their children to stand up for what is right, teach them to be good citizens and speak out. That’s what I’m doing.

A lot of Senior citizens, retirees, employed people are protesting. Finally, after many years of being conformist we are standing up. In the 60’s and 70’s protesting was the game to get yourself heard. In the 80’s and on we (US americans got lazy in speaking up for themselves).

I have a job. I make just over $80K per year, which is nothing compared to the 1 percent, but much more than the average American. My life is pretty good and I’m thankful for it, but I can’t keep turning a blind eye to the massive exploitation of all those less fortunate than me. The 1 percent have raped and pillaged this country long enough and it’s time for all of us to stand up and say “enough!” Most OWS protesters either have jobs or desperately want one. If you think these people are lazy, you’re not informed. Go down to one of the protests and talk to the people yourself. See what they really have to say.

BTW I am considered to be in the top 10% – 15% in this country. Republicans are fighting for people like me. And…I agree with OWS… Funny how protesting wasn’t a problem for Conservatives were screaming and yelling all day every day. When did they work? They were available to take Koch Bros. buses to Washington whenever summoned by Fox, Palin, Bachmann or Glenn Beck.

Nygiantsgw, can you point out a single instance where an OWS protester did either of those things? I thought not.
These people are to be commended for their tolerance and support of the hundreds of homeless people that have swelled their ranks. They’ve done a better job of feeding, clothing, and housing them than our government institutions. They cannot, however, make certain that they continue on their meds.
The local Fox news station made a big deal about feces and urine in the subway near the OccupyPhilly site. I guess that reporter had never been down there before, because it’s ALWAYS been that way.

I agree with you. @5e04fbbdaf8d9103845521b9f0780b4c:disqus is either a child or just another ignorant drone. Sure, much riffraff has shown up to the protests, they always do (for a recent example look at the people that went to Toronto for the G8 with pretty much the sole intent of causing damage). You are blind and ignorant if you think the system is being run appropriate anywhere.

@ca31487f16a3ac91106885c7bfe160d1:disqus people are not looking for communism. They are looking for fair treatment and opportunity, which does not exist at this point in time. Unless you are in the 1% you have an extremely high chance of having your potential limited from birth simply because your grandfather did hand your father a billion dollar organization. If you want a great example of people getting screwed by the system, go camp out in Detroit for a week.

Tremblay: The people of Detroit were not screwed by the “system”. They were screwed by there own greed. The UAW kept asking for more and more until the point that U.S. Automakers had to start shutting down plants and ultimately moving plants to other locations in order to remain competitive. Greed is as alive and well in the Unions as it is in Corporate America.

You are really quite ignorant as I said in my previous reply to you as you being unread and stupid . What about our greedy Wall Street banksters and the trillions which they stole? How about our traitor corporations who went off shore to countries with slave labor? When the U.S. had unions in most of its industries we were by far the most prosperous of all nations and every nation on earth was indebted to us. Now we are indebted to 3rd world countries such as Mexico and other banana republics and you condemn the unions for the pittance that they demanded. May I ask if you can answer which I doubt, why is it that Germany where just about every body is unionized hasn’t shut down their car plants and moved them to slave wage countries? German workers put Americans to shame in the amount of their wages which are over 60% higher. We are 3rd world in earnings compared to them. The same could be said for countries such as Sweden , The Netherlands, etc. Their workers pity our comparative poverty.

BTW I am considered to be in the top 10% – 15% in this country. Republicans are fighting for people like me. And…I agree with OWS… Funny how protesting wasn’t a problem for Conservatives were screaming and yelling all day every day. When did they work? They were available to take Koch Bros. buses to Washington whenever summoned by Fox, Palin, Bachmann or Glenn Beck.

Can you please give some examples of the “99% getting raped and pillaged” by the 1%?
I always thought in a democracy we have the right to purchase what we want from whom we want. If you don’t like the 1% stop buying there products. Seems simple enough but that isn’t socialism so it doesn’t work for you and your ilk.

Everything you spout off is a talking point from Fox News. Painting the protesters as “Dirty confused jobless hippy’s” is the same tactic they used during Vietnam.
Take a look around you! People are suffering. Good educated people cant find jobs, and CEO’s who have received bailouts are getting multi-million $ salary’s. Congress is getting rich through insider trading, and in the pocket of whatever industry has the richest lobbyist. This wealthy elite has no morals or care for the good of anything but MAXIMUM PROFIT at ANY cost.

I have a job, I make a pretty good living – so does that mean I shouldn’t worry about my fellow citizens? Is it the American dream to only worry about yourself? I guess that is the Corporate way…only worry about yourself. That isn’t the America I want to live in…I want to live in the America where we are a society and help each other be the best that we can be.

You mean like the Past (2) years of Bag(R)z whining and screaming in Washington on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. When did they work? Did their employers give them “Protest Washington Days Off”. The OWS crowd is where Bag(R)z should have been on “Wall Street”. Instead Bag(R)z are voting the way the Koch Bros manipulate Them to vote by financing Tea Party events and candidates. The Koch Bros. are among the Biggest Polluters in the country. Of course they DO NOT want Cap ‘N Trade.

You mean like the Past (2) years of Bag(R)z whining and screaming in Washington on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. When did they work? Did their employers give them “Protest Washington Days Off”. The OWS crowd is where Bag(R)z should have been on “Wall Street”. Instead Bag(R)z are voting the way the Koch Bros manipulate Them to vote by financing Tea Party events and candidates. The Koch Bros. are among the Biggest Polluters in the country. Of course they DO NOT want Cap ‘N Trade.

I have a job, a professional one with a good salary. I’m 50 years old and have worked all my life since age 18. I put myself through college because my dad was dead and my mom believed education was wasted on girls. I’ve struggled very hard for everything I have — and I support OWS wholeheartedly! Simply being successful myself doesn’t mean that I don’t care about the bank fraud that has disadvantaged and disenfranchised many, many, many hard-working people just like me.

There are 4 people for every open job. Almost all of our manufacturing sector has gone overseas where corporations can make more money by paying less in wages or have you not noticed. Only a real dolt could make a comment like yours.

The Police who arrested you and those that detain you and anyone else who is infringing upon YOUR rights and the rights of the protesters will be in history books also but not as the good guys. BRAVO TO YOU MR. LEWIS. People like yourself are true leaders!

The retired captain is right it is just the beginning . I am a retired lieutenant and I see a revolt coming decent cops will go to the 99% it just takes time, do not stop occupying its getting to the power. Power to the people.

i wanna get involved, i just recently bought “a new” car, 1999 Honda CRV,,,now brace yourself,, for $27.000 after interest etc. this is a $4000.00 vehicle. only reason i did it was because i need to get to work and have children and have “no credit”, i always paid cash for tings even cars etc..
between myself and my gf we make well over $90.000 a year.

The Occupy movement has run its course. It is time for someone to take the lead and make this a legitimate movement or take your sleeping bags and go home. We may have the right to protest but this is beginning to look more and more like a mob. These protesters are stepping on the rights of too many others.

I only hope that the fines for those arrested will be high enough to offset the cost to the city.

Generally, it is rather easy to determine which posters are well-indoctrinated citizen-sheep by the manner they post with.

Supportive of those who filled their irrational minds with knee-jerk rhetoric tossing out emotion-laden froth and “debating” using no new thoughts or ideas; merely babbling the same tired emotion-laden platitudes and conveying their pleasure with being “proper thinking lackeys of their socio-economic masters.”

Or, using emotion from “my side,”

The citizen-sheep are bleating their pleasure at being proper-thinking citizens.

this is a great video! This man is a hero. He speaks the truth and he’s risking his life (possibly) and it’s great that he mentioned the oath keepers.
All police and members of the armed services have sworn and oath to NOT do certain things that would hurt citizens. I read it and the police bullies are breaking that oath!
I hope the police will see this and remember their oath and decide they are on the wrong side.

Thank you, Captain Ray Lewis. I admire you very much for what your are doing. You are a brave man and a “HERO” and a great “ROLL MODEL”. I am ill and cannot march or join the OCCUPY WALL STREET. The way this country is going change is to PROTEST. Again I “THANK YOU.”